19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence and Prayer:

We gather together as friends, called by the Lord to forgive each other as quickly as God forgives us.
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God, our Father and provider, whose Son has given His flesh for the life of the world, sustain Your pilgrim people on our journey with the word of life and the bread of heaven. Draw us nearer to Him in whose name we gather, that, following His way of sacrificial love, we may come to the banquet of eternal life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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Hymn

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A Reading from the Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (NLT)
[Elijah was at the point of despair when God sent him food and drink to nourish him on his journey.]

Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 34:2-9 (NLT)

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 4:30-5:2 (NLT)
[Paul challenges Christians to imitate Christ in the way they treat each other.]

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:41-51 (NLT)
[Jesus is the true bread come down from heaven, promising the fullness of life.]

Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
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Intercessions:

Merciful God: we bring our needs to Your throne of grace – knowing that when we call, You answer us.

+ For all who gather at the Lord’s Table this weekend – that sharing the bread from heaven, we may have fullness of life…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who are sick or infirmed – that the bread from heaven may nourish them, bringing health and wholeness…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those children and teachers who are preparing to return to school at this time of year – that they may find joy in their studies and work, sustained by a solid faith…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who experience despair, to the point of giving up – that You may send an angel to sustain them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters who have died in Christ – that having eaten the Bread of Life, they may live forever…. Lord, hear us.

We bless You, O Lord, at all times: from all our terrors You set us free. Hear our prayers and continue to sustain and support us, we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen